Apricot tree named ‘Suaprieleven’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct apricot,  Prunus armeniaca  cv. ‘Suaprieleven’ is characterized by having large fruit (averaging approximately 60 mm in diameter) with an orange ground color and abundant red blush. The fruit of the new variety has a thick, slightly tart skin, a slight aroma, and moderate juiciness. The new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ ripens very early in the season.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus armeniaca.

Variety denomination: ‘Suaprieleven’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricot tree, herein after referred to by the cultivar name ‘Suaprieleven’. The new variety was first originated by hybridized in April 2009 by Terry A. Bacon as breeder number: ‘AP1036’.

The new variety is characterized by having large fruit (averaging approximately 60 mm in diameter) with an orange ground color and abundant red blush. The fruit of the new variety has a thick, slightly tart skin, a slight aroma, and moderate juiciness. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ ripens very early in the season. Harvesting of ‘Suaprieleven’ takes place approximately nine days earlier than ‘Suaprinine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,507) and the fruit ripens about the same time as ‘Poppy’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,593).

The seed parent is ‘Suaprinine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,507), and the pollen parent is unknown, coming from a bulk of 8 pollen parents. The parent varieties were first crossed in February 2005, with the date of first sowing being February 2006, and the date of first flowering being February 2009. The new apricot variety ‘Suaprieleven’ was first asexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in April 2010 by grafting.

The new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ can be distinguished from its seed parent, ‘Suaprinine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,507) in that the harvest of the fruit of the new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ starts nine days earlier.

The new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ has an orange ground color and abundant red blush compared to a greenish-straw colored background with only slight blush for ‘Poppy’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,593).

The new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ has been shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example, grafting.

The new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ has the same seed parent, ‘Suaprinine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,507), as ‘Suaprithirteen’ (U.S. Ser. No. 13/998,546), and pollen parent comes from the same bulk of 8 pollen parents. ‘Suaprieleven’ and ‘Suaprithirteen’ differ from each other in bloom date, harvest date and fruit weight. The new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ has a bloom date of February 12 while ‘Suaprithirteen’ has a bloom date of February 24. ‘Suaprieleven’ has a harvest date of April 28 compared to May 12 for ‘Suaprithirteen’. The new variety ‘Suaprieleven’ has a fruit weight of 65 grams while ‘Suaprithirteen’ has a fruit weight of 96 grams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new apricot variety ‘Suaprieleven’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, a view of the fruit as a whole, and a sectional view of a fruit divided across its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place in a 3 year old plant. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color as used in common speech is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 3 year old ‘Suaprieleven’ plants grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif., during 2013 and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on a 3 year old tree unless otherwise     noted).     -   -   Tree size.—Medium. Normal for most apricot varieties.             Reaches a height of about 3.5 meters with normal pruning.         -   Spread.—3 meters.         -   Tree vigor.—Medium. Growth of approximately 1.8 to             approximately 2 meters height the first growing season.         -   Tree growth.—Semi-upright spreading.         -   Tree productivity.—Productive.         -   Tree form.—Vase formed.         -   Bearer.—Regular.         -   Fertility.—Unknown.         -   Branching.—Weak.         -   Tree canopy density.—Medium. Pruning is required to open             tree vase shape, allowing more sunlight to center of tree.         -   Tree hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of             California. Winter chilling requirement is approximately 350             hours at or below 7.2° C.         -   Tree disease resistance/susceptibility.—No specific testing             for plant disease resistance/susceptibility has been             undertaken. Under close observation in Wasco, Kern County,             Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease             resistance/susceptibility has been observed. -   Trunk: (Measurements at 30 cm above soil line).     -   -   Trunk diameter.—Approximately 19 cm.         -   Trunk texture.—Smooth to slightly shaggy.         -   Trunk color.—About Medium Greyed-Green 197D in exposed areas             to Dark Greyed-Orange 166A in recesses, becoming darker with             age. -   Branches: (Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line).     -   -   Branch diameter.—Approximately 8 cm.         -   Branch texture.—Smooth on 1^(st) year wood, increasing             roughness with tree age.         -   Branch color.—Branches vary from about Medium Greyed-Green             197D to Medium Greyed-Green 197B in exposed areas and Medium             Greyed-Orange 165B in recesses.         -   Branch lenticels.—Few. Size: Medium. Density (no./cm²):             Variable, about 5. Color: About Dark Greyed-White 156A.             Typical size: Approximately 4 mm in length and approximately             2 mm wide. -   Flowering shoots: (Data taken in July at midpoint of current-season     growth. Color and sizes described may vary due to differences in     sunlight, vigor and temperatures.).     -   -   Flowering shoot size.—Average diameter: approximately 8 mm.         -   Flowering shoot color.—Topside: About Dark Greyed-Orange             165A. Underside: About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A.         -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—Size: Medium, about 8/cm2. Color:             About Dark Greyed-White 156A. Diameter: Approximately             0.5 mm. Texture: Smooth.         -   Flowering shoot leaf buds.—Shape: Ovoid. Width:             Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 2 mm. Color:             About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A. Texture: Smooth.         -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Elongated ovoid. Width:             Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 4 mm. Color:             About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A. Number: Usually 2.         -   Internode.—Length: Medium and variable, approximately 1-4 cm             midway on flowering shoots. Width: About 5 mm. Texture:             Smooth.         -   Density of buds.—Medium.         -   Distribution.—Generally isolated on spurs and one year old             shoots and older wood.         -   Ration of wood (leaf) bud to flowering shoots.—½. -   Root:     -   -   Habit.—Branching.         -   Color.—About White 155A.         -   Time it takes to initiate roots.—10 days.         -   Time it takes to produce a rooted plant.—6 weeks.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in July on fully expanded leaf at midpoint of     current-season growth. Color and sizes described may vary due to     differences in sunlight, vigor and temperatures).     -   -   Leaf size.—Medium. Length: Medium, approximately 6.5 cm.             Width: Medium, approximately 5.5 cm.         -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.         -   Leaf color.—Upper surface: About Dark Green 139A. Lower             surface: About Medium Green 139C.         -   Leaf form.—Circular.         -   Leaf tip.—Cuspidate.         -   Leaf base.—U-shaped.         -   Leaf margin.—Crenate.         -   Venation.—Pinately net veined.         -   Vein color.—About Medium Green 139C.         -   Leaf surface texture.—Smooth (upper and lower).         -   Leaf blade (ratio length/width).—Small.         -   Shape in cross section.—Flat.         -   Angle at apex.—Medium.         -   Profile.—Flat.         -   Leaf blade tip.—Curved downwardly.         -   Angle of tip.—Acute.         -   Undulation of margin.—Slight. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Medium, approximately 25 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1 mm.         -   Color.—About from Medium Green 139C to Dark Greyed-Purple             184A.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Stipules:     -   -   Number/leaf bud.—Approximately 0 to 2.         -   Typical length.—Approximately 3 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Green 139C.         -   Persistence.—Fall off.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Glands:     -   -   Form.—Globose.         -   Number.—Approximately 2 to 5.         -   Position.—On petiole.         -   Size.—Medium, approximately 0.6 mm.         -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A.

FLOWERS

-   General:     -   -   First bloom.—February 12 in Wasco, Calif.         -   Location of first bloom.—Upper portion of the canopy.         -   Full bloom.—February 16 in Wasco, Calif.         -   Location of full bloom.—Middle of the canopy.         -   Time of bloom.—Early, from approximately February             12-February 16.         -   Duration of bloom.—Medium, about 14 days.         -   Diameter of fully open flower.—Medium, Approximately 28 mm.         -   Flower aroma.—Very slight.         -   Shape.—Rosaceous. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Medium, approximately 3 mm.         -   Diameter.—Medium, approximately 2 mm.         -   Color.—About Light Yellow-Green 145C, with highlights of             about Medium Red 46D.         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Petals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Overlapping.         -   Length.—Approximately 13 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 10 mm.         -   Shape.—Circular.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.         -   Color.—Inner Surface: About Light Red 36D. Outer Surface:             About Light Red 36D.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth (inner and outer surface).         -   Margins.—Smooth and slightly undulating.         -   Frequency of flowers with double petals.—None.         -   Margin waviness.—Weak.         -   Base angle.—Wide.         -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Length.—Approximately 6 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.5 mm.         -   Shape.—Broad ovate.         -   Color.—About Medium Red 42B.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth (inner and outer surface).         -   Margins.—Smooth, entire.         -   Positioning.—Adpressed to petals.         -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.         -   Frequency of flowers with double sepals.—None. -   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Approximately 18 to 25.         -   Length.—Approximately 12 mm.         -   Filament color.—About White 155A.         -   Anther color.—About Medium Yellow 14C.         -   Pollen color.—About Medium Yellow 14C.         -   Position.—Perigynous.         -   Amount of pollen.—Medium. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually one.         -   Average length.—Approximately 8 mm.         -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.         -   Pubescence.—Medium.         -   Stigma extension in comparison to anthers.—Below with             anthers.         -   Frequency of supplementary pistils.—Few. -   Receptacle:     -   -   Depth.—Medium, approximately 4 mm.         -   Pubescence of inner surface (at pink bud stage).—Absent.         -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.

FRUIT

Data taken at firm-ripe on mature tree managed to obtain maximum quality under conditions stated in Description of Variety. Timing, colors and sizes described may vary due to differences in sunlight, vigor and temperatures.

-   General:     -   -   Fruit harvest.—Date of First Pick: Approximately April 28 in             Wasco, Calif. Date of Last Pick: Approximately May 8 in             Wasco, Calif.         -   Date of description.—Approximately May 2.         -   Maturity when described.—Firm.         -   Season ripening.—Very early.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—Towards the middle.         -   Symmetry about the suture.—Nearly symmetrical. -   Fruit size:     -   -   Length (stem end to apex).—Approximately 60 mm.         -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 55 mm.         -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 55 mm.         -   Average weight.—Approximately 65 gm. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Viewed from apex.—Round, nearly symmetric.         -   Viewed from side, facing suture.—Rounded-elongated, nearly             symmetric.         -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Rounded, slightly             asymmetric. -   Fruit apex shape: Rounded, slightly indented at tip. -   Fruit stem cavity:     -   -   Shape.—Rounded.         -   Depth.—Medium, approximately 1 cm.         -   Breadth.—Approximately 1.5 cm. -   Fruit stem:     -   -   Length.—Medium, Approximately 8 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Green 143C.         -   Adherence to stone.—Strong.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Adherence to flesh.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth to slightly irregular.         -   Pubescence.—Moderate to scant, short, does not need roll up             when rubbed.         -   Bloom.—Slight.         -   Ground color.—About Light Orange-Red 31D.         -   Overcolor.—About Medium Red 41A.         -   Taste.—Slightly tart.         -   Reticulation.—Slight.         -   Tendency to crack.—Slight, in wet season. -   Fruit flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Melting.         -   Fibers.—Few.         -   Flavor.—Mild.         -   Brix.—Approximately 14°.         -   Juice.—Moderate.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Color.—About Medium Red 41D.         -   Anthocyanin color under skin.—Absent.         -   Anthocyanin color of flesh.—Absent.         -   Anthocyanin color around stone.—Absent.         -   Acidity.—Medium, 1.3%.         -   Eating quality.—Fair.         -   Stone/flesh ratio.—4 g/65 g.         -   Firmness.—Medium. -   Pit cavity size:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 30 mm.         -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 20 mm.         -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 12 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Red 41D. -   Fruit use: Fresh market. -   Fruit shipping/keeping quality: Medium. -   Stone:     -   -   Stone freeness.—Cling, over entire surface.         -   Degree of adherence to flesh.—Strong.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Size compared to fruit.—Small.         -   Length.—Medium, approximately 30 mm.         -   Suture.—Slightly sunken.         -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 20 mm.         -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 10 mm.         -   Angle of stalk end.—Obtuse.         -   Stone form (viewed from side).—Broadly elliptical.         -   Stone form (viewed from stem end).—Oval.         -   Stone form (viewed from ventral end).—Flattened.         -   Stone base shape.—Nearly straight.         -   Stone apex shape.—Narrow towards apex.         -   Hilum.—Narrow.         -   Stone surface.—Slightly pitted with a few ridges extending             the length.         -   Stone halves.—Nearly equal.         -   Stone ridges.—Continuous.         -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Partly developed.         -   Stone tendency to split.—Rare.         -   Stone color.—About Medium Greyed-Orange 176C.         -   Position of maximum.—Middle.         -   Sides.—Nearly equal.         -   Pits.—Shallow, irregular.         -   Fibers.—Retains short fiber-like threads along the ridges.         -   Ventrical edge.—Thin with slight wing towards middle.         -   Dorsal edge.—Medium, continuous. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree named ‘Suaprieleven’ as herein illustrated and described. 